NIGERIA’S FEDERALISM AND CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLE

• Main Authors: Olu OKOTONI, Adeleke ADEGBAMI
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Technopress 2021-04-01
• Series: Journal of Public Administration, Finance and Law
• Subjects: federalism; ethnicity; amalgamation
• Online Access: http://www.jopafl.com/uploads/issue19/NIGERIA_FEDERALISM_AND_CHALLENGES_OF_IMPLEMENTING_FEDERAL_CHARACTER_PRINCIPLE.pdf
• ISSN: 2285-2204; 2285-3499

The study analysed the challenges facing the application of the federal character principle under Nigeria’s federal system of government. This is with a view to understanding the limiting factors inhibiting the effective application of the federal character principle. The study utilised primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaire and the conduct of in-depth interviews. The study population comprised 1,927 staff on Grade Levels 7-17, drawn randomly from six selected federal ministries. Questionnaire was administered to the respondents to elicit information on the challenges facing the application of the federal character principle in the Federal Civil Service. Out of 1,927 copies of questionnaire administered 1,548 (80%) were duly completed and retrieved. Interviews were also conducted with six Permanent Secretaries (PS) of the selected ministries; five directors/deputy directors; six Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) and the Secretary, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs to complement information got from the use of questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The finding revealed the challenges facing the application of the principle included: forgery and falsification of the State of origin by applicants; political interference among the political officeholders; favouritism; manipulations by some staff in-charge of implementation; and failure of ministries to declare and advertise vacancies before recruitments. The study concluded that despite the good intentions of the federal character principle the challenges keep on inhibiting its successful implementation, and unless these challenges are removed, the principle may not achieve fully the purpose of its introduction.